Kazimierz Labno

Washington's on-again, off-again tariff policies create an abundance of imports at US ports. Companies look to get ahead of any fresh trade disruptions, especially before the year-end holiday season. West Coast ports further benefit from drought-related capacity restrictions on the Panama Canal.

The largest grocery chain in the Southeast builds its property portfolio. One reason is a desire to control adjacent retail space, but also to generate additional income in the ruthless grocery business. With over 1,400 stores—largely in Florida—there may be implied limits to the strategy.

Turkey is one the world's most visited countries, with sustainability policy having a critical impact on the overall economy. One initiative is to diversify the role of tourism nationwide, from urban sites to local communities. Cappadocia, for example, benefits by promoting boutique accommodations.

Collateral damage from turmoil in France is found in the French government bond market. Foreign investors, especially Japanese names, own a disproportionate volume of those bonds; they seem likely to sell-off those holdings. Other nations, including Japan itself, provide more-stable opportunities.

Japan's new agriculture minister is from Hokkaido. The prefecture is also the epicenter for the nation's potato crop. US pressure to import more potatoes seems unlikely to find traction. Japan raises traditional concerns about pests and diseases. Resolution may take "considerable time."

Australia takes on China in the South Pacific with a cash drop in the Solomon Islands. Canberra aims to outflank Beijing in the archipelago. These islands sit on top of key sea lanes. An at-hand cash infusion, though, creates a lively economic-development debate.